Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-14
of the clubs to date:
LEAGUE

iSdiaaaSBSs s Sssraposan
THE NATIONALS RECORD.
Although the Nationals have not made as good
a record as was hoped for there is no reason for
| feeling at all discouraged. No one for moment
thought them pennant winners, but before the
opening OF the season it was predicted that no
club could capture game from them without
playing their strongest. With but few exceptions
every game played thus far has been stubbornly
contested by the Nationals and In many OF those
lost the home team just missed scoring a victory
by chance. Spectators like to see closely contested
ball games and surely those that have taken ulace
at Capitol Park this year have generally been so
well played as to merit large attendance, even
though victory did not perch with us as often as
was hoped. The Nationals have won three games
and lost nine, of which four were lost by only one
run. The home team did what was not expected
on the rip this week in snatching two games from
many as champions The third game had to
belong to New York under. any cireum-
successive defeats OF the gtltedged Giants at the
hands OF the supposed tatl.enders The score with
New YORK is is even on the b9oksaPut WASHINGTON
genuine ones, While the three credited to New
York were won by only one run each, and in two
S1 se Sa wsr sery
enthusiast the other day, "and we have killed her
this year. 1t has not been SO bad as that, but
Statesmen showed the Giants how TO play ball the
public may rest assured that the boys are game.
THE BOSTON NINE.
In Boston, however, the Nationals struck snag.
They received severe handling by KellyS COM
bination on Thursday, and On Friday another de-
feat was administered. The boys have another
chance to-day, but 1t IS somewhat against them.
Boston cannot win from us every time, but it is a
watched the games predict that 1t will push De-
trOt hard for the first place before the season is
over -. does no. seem EN- 10 0e tne same organiza
it plays with an energy and dash that is refresh
ing. This is probably owing to Kellys influence.
rally raj Ses at U Critical point in the game
and then fne teamwork is accomplished
1t is predicted that Detroit will meet with many
a defeat when she crosses bats with the Eastern
clubs. Boston is able to compete with her on
equal terms. Philadelphia is playing a remark
New York is expected to make strong rally from
the roasting 1t has received lately. The Statesmen
are not to be despised when the would-be cham
piOnS meet them.
The Nationals Will return home and meet the
Chicagos at Capitol Park on Monday, and very
interesting series may be expected.
PRESIDENT YOgNG's OPINION.
'What do you think OF the Nationalist" asked q
STAR reporter OF President Nick Young yesterday.
81 think they are playing cracking good ball.
was the reply. 81 can't see that any club is play
ing better, except Detroit. They have played but
one poor game since the season commenced. They
have had bad luck, and deserve at least Two games
that were lost. They are not quite as steady as
they ought to be- but look for a decided improve
ment in this respect before many weeks have
passed. The boys are deserving OF support, for
they are playing good bail, and make nearly every
game exceedingly interesting" individually the
Nationals have showed up remarkably well, but
they are undoubtedly somewhat ragged in their
team work, and are often unable to pull together
steadily, however, and II they do not become dis
heartened they will frequently place victories to
their credit.
The season has advanced far enough to enable a
very fair estimate to BE- made Of their individual
merits. Take the batteries first. Shaw and
whitney are both holding their own with the
rific batter, and shaw has surprised everybody by
the way in which he is pounding out base hits
Gilligan is the same plucky little catcher that did
as back-stop. Mack did not receive for Whitney
very we'll at the start. His work was not clean,
but the best Of it was that he knew it and worked
hard to get into trim and succeeded. O'Day has
surprised everybody by his cratic delivery. He
used to pitch the ball with exceptional accuracy,
but now he sends man after man to his base on
balls. There is question Of the effectiveness OF
his delivery, but he must get command Of the ball
ne TO win a nd 40 th ne he
when he thinks the umpire Is not treating him
impartiay.
Dealy has not shown up quite as well as was
is covering first base in flne style, and, better
STILL he continues TO inspire his comrades by the
energy and determination he displays in his work.
Capt. Jack Farrell plays second base in fine STYLE
second TO none, and Justites all the predictions
made regarding him before the season opened. He
is batting and running well also.
Donnelly bids fair to become one of the leading
third basemen in the country. He is young and
willing and IS steadily improving. He runs up
Oh tnfield balls We'll, and handles thrown balls
in good shape. He does better than was ex-
pected at the bat and runs bases with perhaps
better Judgment than any man on the team.
Myers, it must be confessed, is, TO certain ex-
tent, disappointment at short-stop, for great
things were expected , Of him HIS ilslding is not
aud grace that cannot be eXceiled, but he is not
as sure as he ought TO be. He is sluggish
g ss into conditon.p '0'S carro o h is
Caring for left field in better style than ever.
His right-handed batting is evidently an advan-
tage and his running Is tine. Hines is mber1ng up
handling of ground balls is better than at the
opening OF the season. No player in the country
has shown more marked improvement In every
way than Shock and ne puts such life and vim into
his playing that 1t is pleasure to watch him He
now judges balls well and throws home with ac-
curacy. His batting, base running and sliding
are all excellent.
substitute, and OBrien will be released lie will
be an admirable man for one OF the weaker associa
ton teams.
MANAGER GAFFNEY
thinks that the game with New York on Wednes-
day belonged to the Nationals He has sent word
to secretary Hewett that Shocks fine of 40 should
not be paid, as it was Illegally Imposed. That
may or may not be, but IL it succeeds in breaking
up the habit OF keeping up perpetual fire OF use
less talk when man IS running bases the better
class of spectators, who like TO see base ball
played on Its merits, will be pleased. Proper
coaching of runners Is strong point in the game
but ceaseess parrot talk browns out the umpire
and is OF NO earthly advantage to the runners,
| is, Of course, intended to rattle the other
Side, particularly the battery, but that
isn't base bail. Shock and Kreg are both excel.